Waist or corset



(No Model.)

J. L. MoVAY. WAIST OR CORSET.

No. 580,419. Patented Apr. 13, 1897.

Jamaal/22953 Ya: mum win 60, Puma-Linux. v/Asmnawm a c lliuirn JENNIE L. MCVAY, OF WINONA, MINNESOTA.

WAIST OR CORSET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 580,419, dated April. 13, 1897. Application filed August 27,1894. $erial No. 521,470. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J ENNIE L. MOVAY, a citizenof the United States, residing at inona, in the county of Winona and State of Minnesota, have invented an Improvement in lVaists or Corsets; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention.

My invention relates to waists or corsets, and has for its object to produce such an article as will afiord a rigid support for the body at the lower portion of the corset and a yielding support around the upper portion; and it consists in the improved construction of the same, as will be hereinafter more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows substantially the shape of the corset or waist when spread out on a plane surface. Fig. 2 is a front, and Fig. 3 is a rear, view of the same substantially as worn.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, B indicates the back piece, G the side pieces, and H the bust-pieces. The back piece and the side pieces are each provided with downwardly-extending straps E, and the back piece is provided with two strappieces A, which are adapted to be secured to the bust-pieces by the projections or points 0. The side pieces are also adapted to be secured to the straps by means of the points or projections, as shown at D. The bust-pieces may be adj ustably secured to the side pieces by means of lacing, if desired, and the lower front edges of the bust-pieces are provided with means for securing them together, so as to make the waist substantially rigid circumferentially around its lower edge, while the upper portion is yielding.

The strap-arm A is drawn across the chest and buttoned or otherwise attached to the point 0 of the opposite bust-piece H. The connection of the strap-arms with the bustpiece is made, preferably, by means of buttons and buttonholes, but other suitable attachments may be substituted. The straps are each provided with a series of buttonholcs. The projecting points 0 G of the bust-pieces lap freely one over the other, so as to admit of ample play above the front lacing or buttons. Buttons F or other fastening devices are attachable to the downward strips E as jury to the health.

means for supporting waistbands, hose-suspenders, or other garments. The bust-pieces II may be plain or full to suit the form of the wearer.

The straps A, while drawing uniformly from the back of the waist, hold the waist and support the bust firmly in front near the armpit, and also firmly, yet flexibly, at the front center, and with less stricture than by any other known device, and at the same time permit the natural expansion and contraction of the chest in breathing and the free movement of the body in exercising, while also saving the shapeliness and grace of the form. The bust is thus supported in comfort and the burdensome and unhealthy restraint in wearing corsets is avoided.

The connecting of the front or bust portion with the back portion by means of 1acing or some suitable elastic material, as suggestechwould, in combination with the straps, constitute the ease and flexibility of the waist and its adjustment or conformity to the body without impairing its other qualities.

By the downward projections E a means is provided of supporting the hose, skirts, or other garments directly from the shoulders instead of the hips, as is commonly done, endangering the health of the wearer. These projections are to be stiffened with whalebone or other suitable material, thereby serving as a shield to prevent the skirt-bands from cutting into the body. The adjustable feature of the straps enables the wearer to draw up or let down the waist to suit her comfort.

The weight of the skirts or other garments being suspended on the projections referred to equalizes the strain and confines it to the shoulders, where it can be borne without in- The front pieces below the bust are thus left entirely unrestricted.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- A corset or waist consisting of a back, side and front pieces, the back and side pieces being provided with downwardlyextending stiffened projections, said projections being provided with means for attaching garments thereto; and the bust-pieces being adj ustably secured to the side pieces, the lower portion of the adjacent edges of the bust-pieces bestrap is secured, whereby the lower portion of the corset or Waist is substantially rigid or unyielding circumferentially, and the upper 15 portion is yielding, and the supporting strain upon the bust-pieces by the shoulder-straps is diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite side of the body, substantially as set forth.

JENNIE L. McVAY. Witnesses:

J ENNIE A. BURNS, HATTIE A. KEITH. 

